Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has predicted a “woeful” defeat for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, saying he would lose even if he appointed his wife, Remi Tinubu, as Chief Justice of Nigeria and his son, Seyi Tinubu, as INEC chairman.

Dalung, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, argued that the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election was a sign of what could happen at the national level.

He said the Osun election had reinforced his earlier prediction that Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election, regardless of the appointments or political structures at his disposal.

“What happened in Osun is a confirmation of what I have said two years ago, that even if Tinubu appointed his wife (Remi Tinubu) as Chief Justice of Nigeria and appointed Seyi (his son) as INEC chairman, he is going to be defeated woefully in 2027,” Dalung said.

He attributed the challenges facing the country to what he described as a failure by political leaders to uphold their constitutional responsibilities and prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.

“If we have leaders that believe in the people and believe in their oath of office and know that the Constitution imposes on them an obligation that they should protect lives and property and the social wellbeing of the people, they will definitely do that,” he said.

Dalung also criticised what he described as the accumulation of wealth by public officials, urging leaders to focus on building a legacy that would outlive their time in office.

“If we have leaders who have consciences, who know that all these monies they are busy stockpiling, one day they will depart this earth without anything, they will concentrate on building a legacy that they will be remembered for. In 2027, regionalism is going to be a factor in the determination of the election. In 2027, too, the President’s performance is going to be an issue,” Dalung said.

He, however, maintained that the President would ultimately be defeated, arguing that the politicians and governors who had joined the ruling party would not be able to secure victory for him.

“But on the overall, the President will be defeated woefully because he has assembled the people who have also abandoned the people. The governors whom he has brought to his party can never bail him out. It has been established in Osun. Their gatherings were gatherings of mourners,” he said.

Dalung said the 2027 election should not be viewed solely as a contest involving Tinubu or the opposition, but as a decision by Nigerians on the individual they want to lead the country.

“2027 is not going to be an issue of Tinubu; it is not even going to be an issue of opposition. No. But the man Nigerians are going to be electing in 2027,” he said.

The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature a major contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition forces, amid ongoing efforts by opposition politicians to form alliances ahead of the poll.

In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu, the APC candidate, defeated Atiku Abubakar who ran under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi under the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Tinubu secured more than eight million votes, while Atiku and Obi each polled more than six million votes. Kwankwaso secured more than one million votes.

Ahead of the 2027 election, opposition politicians have been engaged in realignment and coalition-building, with Atiku and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi are the flagbearers of the ADC-led opposition coalition, while Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Meanwhile, campaigning for Nigeria’s 2027 elections begins Wednesday. Ahead of the campaigns, major candidates on Tuesday, signed a National Peace Accord pledging peaceful conduct. (Channels)

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